Banjo hand rest



Sept. 1a, 1928. 1,684,962

. J. LATERRA ET AL BANJO HAND REST Filed Dec. 21, 1926 Inventor /5271 .Zairra E2272? Jy B 2mm flrtorngy Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

'PATENTPO FFICE.

JOHN LATERBA A ND FENK JOY, OF PATERSON, NEW JERSEY.

BANJO HAND Rrisr.

, L pncatibn filedneeember 21, 1926. Serial No. 156,151.

This invention relates to a novel accessory for use in connection with banjos and sim ilar stringed musical instruments.

Briefly, the invention has reference to a device which includes string anchoring means, together with a detachable plate of right angular form embodying a tail piece, to serve as a cover and shield for the string anchoring means, together with a portion to extend over a limited portion of the anchored ends of the strings, to function as a hand rest.

What we propose, is a simple and inexpensive structure to serve as a firm and reliable anchoring means for the strings, to gether with a smooth hand rest to occupy the space between the bridge and said anchoring means, and to overlie the strings in order to provide a convenient seat for the hand while performing.

The specific details forming the alleged novelty will become apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same v Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan .view of a portion of a banjo, showing the improved co'ntrivancein place.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, showing the disposition of parts more plainly.-

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the, parts.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of this, same part.

F ig. 5 is an invertedperspective view of the detachable plate element.

Fig. 6 is an end view of the part represented in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character 1 designates a portion of-a conventional type of banjo such as is employed most efficiently in modern dance orchestras. Ve wish to state here, however, that the invention is not restricted for use on a banjo, but may be employed on mandolins, ukuleles, and similar stringed instruments. The

strings are represented by the reference character 2, and the bridge by the reference character 3. These are of customary design. The invention per se, comprises two parts; first, the part 4 which is to be fixedly mounted on the banjo and the part 5 which is a separable element.

, The part 4 comprises a pair of screw threaded members 6 which may be conveniently referred to as bolts. As represented in Fig. 2, the threaded ends of these are connected by nuts with the base of the instrument, or the resonator, as desired. One of the retaining bolt nuts is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, being designated by the reference numeral 7 On the upper ends of these bolts are hooks 7 to take over the rim. There a tie connection 8 between these bolts which is the form of a flat metal strip and which includes a depending U-shaped portion 9. It is in this part that the string anchoring means is mounted, and this means comprises a vertical tail piece 10 including fingers 11 with which the strings 2 are anchored in the customary manner.

The means also includes a shield 12 which overlies a restricted part of the strings as represented in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

.Formed integral with the tie connector are spaced parallel retainers 13 of right angular cross section including depending reinforcing ribs 14 extending down across the tie connector as represented in F ig. 4.

Considering now the part 5 represented in Fig. 5, it will be seen that this is in the form.

of a metal plate bent into approximately right angular form. The plate comprises a short leg 15, which extends down and over the ribs 14: and string anchoring fingers 11.

The long leg of this plate 16 is of somewhat wedge-shaped configuration in top plan, and is of an appropriate length. It is provided adjacent its juncture with leg 15, with a pair of side keepers 17 of angular formwhich slide onto or receive the angular retainers 13. Of course, the bridge 3 does not have a set position on an instrument of this character, and is disposed in different positions to vary the effective vibratory lengths of the vibrating portions of the strings. Hence, no set lengths can be given to the plate 16, and it must be varied so as to occupy only that portion of the space existing between the bridge and the anchoring means for the string. In other words, the free end of this plate 16 should ordinarily terminate in the slight spaced relation to the bridge as represented in the drawing, so as to allow free use of the pick.

Moreover, while a particular configuration has been given, the plate may have to be widened in some instances, to facilitate placement and provide an efiicient rest for the pla ers hand. It is thought that the use of t e invention, as well as the construction and method of application will be plain after considering the foregoing description and the drawings. It is also obvious that by ailowing the hand rest to overlie the inefleetire portions of the strings, the hand rest is disposed in a condition in pla 0 to facilitate struunning and picking of the strings with the pick. 7

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new is 1. As a new product of manufacture, a banjo hand rest and stringanchoring,- device comprising a pair of attaching; bolts having retaining hooks at one end, retaining means for the opposite ends of said bolts, a connecting strip for said bolts, the intermediate portion of said strip being provided with string, anchoring fingers, a pair of spaced retaining members connected with and extending forwardly f: m said strip, and a hand rest plate removal'ily mounted upon said members.

2. As a new product of manufacture, a combined banjo hand rest and string anchoring device comprising a pair of bolts, threaded on their lower ends and provided on their upper ends with retaining hooks, retaining nuts for the threaded ends of said bolts, a tie and connecting strip connected with said bolts and provided at its center with string anchoring means, a pair of retaining members connected to and extending forwardly from the intermediate portion of said strip, said retaining members being of right angular cross sectional shape, and a hand rest colnprisin a plate including a relatively long leg provided with keepers removably mounted on said retaining members, and a relatively short leg extending down and over said string anchoring means.

In testimony whereof we afhx our signatures.

JOHN LATER A FRANK JOY. 

